Los Angeles Angels could stand pat at trade deadline

In this file photo, relief pitcher Huston Street of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim throws a pitch in the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 19, 2014 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The big deal was July 18, well ahead of today’s non-waiver trade deadline. That’s when the Angels solidified their bullpen by acquiring veteran closer Huston Street from the San Diego Padres for four prospects and enhancing their chances of ending a four-season playoff drought.

What happens before today’s deadline is anyone’s guess, but from the looks of it the Angels will be content to challenge the Oakland Athletics for first place in the American League West with their current roster.

The Angels went into Wednesday’s game against the Orioles in Baltimore with a 63-42 record, second-best in the majors behind only the A’s (66-40). The Angels could use another veteran starter to strengthen their rotation, but what team wouldn’t want more pitching?

What’s more, the Angels don’t appear to need more offense, given they have the second-best offense in the majors. The Angels have scored 514 runs, an average of 4.89 runs per game, and trail only the A’s, who have scored 534 runs.

Mike Trout, the Angels’ 22-year-old center fielder, is having another MVP-caliber season. He’s batting .302 despite a recent slump, with 24 home runs and 76 RBIs. He is six home runs and 21 RBIs away from setting career highs.

“This team has the best batter’s box offense we’ve had here in a long time,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said last week when asked about the club’s increased production. “You still push everyone on the base paths and we still want to use the speed we have.”

The Angels also are resilient, having rallied for 33 victories.

Their bullpen, with Kevin Jepsen, Joe Smith and Street in the featured roles, gives the Angels a chance to rally because they’ve been so consistent lately. The Angels’ bullpen had a miniscule 1.90 ERA in July before Tuesday’s 7-6 loss in 12 innings to the Orioles.

Street has three saves in three chances in four scoreless innings in four games since the deal.

“The team here is absolutely motivated and I wanted to be a part of that,” Street said last week when asked about his new club. “The Angels are in the middle of one of those special types of years, to do something special. I’m thankful to be a part of it.”

It’s doubtful Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto can pull off a significant trade by today’s deadline, however. When the Angels acquired Street for prospects R.J. Alvarez, Taylor Lindsey, Elliot Morris and Jose Rondon, it was assumed they no longer were in the running for additional deals.

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For one thing, the Angels haven’t been been rumored to be connected with any deals of any note. For another, their farm system has been ranked at the bottom of the minor leagues for two years running and it’s generally assumed there’s not much to give up in a trade.

Lindsey, an infielder, was ranked as the Angels’ top prospect by Baseball America.

Unlike recent seasons, however, it doesn’t appear the Angels will need to make a big move in order to make the playoffs for the first time since advancing to the American League Championship Series in 2009. The 2014 club appears more well-rounded and better able to contend.

“Our team has been coming together,” Scioscia said. “Some of the things that have been happening this year, it’s exciting. But there’s still a long ways to go. The standings don’t have the relevance right now that they will in August and September.”